Irwin “Buz” Traugot
Funeral Service: April 12, 2026 11:00 AM
Funeral Home: Gutterman’s Woodbury Chapel
8000 Jericho Turnpike,
Woodbury, NY 11797
Notes:
Irwin “Buz” Traugot was born on March 22, 1935 to Eva and Morris Zoltak. Unfortunately, Morris died when Buz was only 1 1/2 years old, and Buz’s brother, Herb, was 6 years old. Eva’s family took them in and helped them financially until Eva met and fell in love with Max Traugot. Max adopted Herb and Buz and raised them as his own. Max also had a son, Irving, who Buz looked up to, and was devastated when Irving died in WWII.
Buz graduated from Queens College with a degree in Chemistry, and then went on to earn a graduate degree.
He joined the military and trained in Texas.
Buz taught for several years and then left that profession (he said he loved teaching the children: dealing with the parents, not so much).
He then started a 45 year career in educational sales. He sold books to schools in the 5 boroughs of NYC and Long Island. He worked hard and enjoyed the people he met, and especially enjoyed being home at the end of the school day to be with his children. The school administrators loved when Buz came because he always brought treats for the staff: bagels, cream cheese, pastries, and for his favorite customers, white fish salad and lox. He loved his job so much that he worked into his early 80s.
He met his first wife on a tour in Europe. He and Barbara had two wonderful children (if we do say so ourselves): Elyse and Jeffrey.
We have so many fond memories growing up with our Dad. Fun times on the boat, going out to Nathan’s, Nunleys, Carvel, playing tennis at Oceanside Park, ski trips, travel to show us other US cities. He was always looking for something fun to do with us.
When Buz and Barbara got divorced, Buz’s priority was always his children. He always lived nearby, his home was always open to us and he made sure his children knew they were deeply loved.
Buz met Adina as a set up by the receptionist at his divorce attorney’s office (she really should have charged for her services) and the rest is history. They have been together since 1985, and created a beautiful life together.
Buz had a great relationship with Adina’s children and their spouses: Jerry (Nicole) and David and truly enjoyed spending time with them.
Buz watched the birth of 7 grandchildren and loved watching them grow up. They enriched his life as much as he has hopefully enriched theirs. Josh, Julia, Brady and Owen, as well as Jacob, Ava and Thalia.
Buz and Adina travelled the world together and created so many wonderful memories.
Buz was a beloved husband, father, grandfather and friend. He always had kind words for whomever he met.
And of course, anyone who knew Buz knew his stories. He had a repertoire of his favorites, which were mostly related to funny excerpts from his children’s and grandchildren’s lives. At his 90th birthday, everyone present shared their favorite “Buz story” that had been told by Buz over and over and over again. We all laughed so hard…
Dad, we can’t thank you enough for a lifetime of love and good memories. Your memory will most certainly be a blessing.
Guests are to arrive between 10:00am and 11:00am. Sanctuary service will start promptly at 11:00am. Following the service, burial will take place at Beth Moses Cemetery in West Babylon, NY.